Kiko Casilla worked with Rafael Benitez at La Liga giants Real Madrid – and could do so again at Newcastle United in the Premier League.
When Saint Iker ascended into Real Madrid folklore in the summer of 2015, or rather was shunted out to FC Porto, the capital club replaced the long-serving legend with his near namesake.
Iker Casillas was out, Kiko Casilla was in.
However, it’s fair to say the former Espanyol number one wasn’t exactly a regular in Rafael Benitez’s starting XI during his ill-fated, seven month reign at the Santiago Bernabau in 2015/16.
Kiko Casilla is far too good to be stuck on the bench
Thanks to a faulty fax machine, Keylor Navas, rather than David de Gea, started the season as Real’s first choice shot-stopper. And the Costa Rican’s performances were so impressive that Casilla never got a look in.
By the time Benitez was shown the door in January, seven months into a three-year deal, Casilla had played just five times in Madrid colours. Yet, he obviously did enough to convince the coach of his qualities.
Because, according to The Chronicle, Benitez is plotting a reunion at current club Newcastle United. Casilla is still distinctly second choice at the La Liga and Champions League double winners. And the report claims that The Magpies are hoping to take advantage of his lack of opportunities by giving him the chance to play regularly between the sticks at St James’ Park.
And although Casilla was used sparingly by Benitez, the now-30-year-old was clearly held in high regard.
Benitez at Real Madrid
Total Confidence
“I have total confidence in Kiko Casilla and when he has to play I’ll use him. If he has to play against Las Palmas, then so be it and that’s that. If he has to play against PSG and Sevilla, then play he will,” Benitez told Marca a few weeks into the season.
The fact that Casilla was stuck on the bench under Benitez shouldn’t concern Newcastle fans. The one-time Spain international is a fantastic goalkeeper – it’s just that Navas is a little better.
And with Willy Caballero set to sign for Chelsea instead of Newcastle, Benitez targeting Casilla looks like a stroke of genius.
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